Every Monday Cary checked the board listings. After Joe left, many more of his co-workers and neighbors had gone missing. The loss of Joe had affected him more than he'd thought.

His father, just before he was taken two months ago in the "male/over 65/Hispanic and/or Japanese descent/weight 145-175 lbs. U.S." roundup, had told him that he'd have to get back on track with relationships and learn to keep things at a distance.

"Computer communication, social networking," he'd said, "is the only way, and before you know it, you won't even be leaving your house at all or see anyone in the flesh. Better that way."